The Essential Vince Lombardi By Vince Lombardi, Jr. When you look for words and wisdom to motivate, inspire and win, look no longer. Vince Lombardi, Jr. captures the essence of the words of his father, legendary Green Bay Packers head football coach, Vince Lombardi. 113 words and phrases are encapsulated in an alphabet of cahpters from Ability to Youth and everything in between. Adversity, change, coaching, criticism, fallibility, mistakes, persistence, quitting, regrets, success, mental toughness, vision, winning... They are all there and more. Have you ever seen application of those words in the ministry? Frankly, I found the book to be a fast read. For whatever station in life people find themselves, The Essential Vince Lombardi will truly do what it is billed to do, motivate, inspire and help you win. I love to read about winners and Vince Lombardi was that to the nth degree. The statement originating from former UCLA football coach Red Sanders, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing," was credited to Lombardi. in church leadership circles we do not normally think in these terms but I say, "Why not?" Who wants to tag on with a church or ministry that loses? Besides that, our mission is exponentially more important than that of the Packers. I have always been intrigued by another famous statement from Lombard. After one particularly difficult game, the coach went to the locker room and made the simplest and most profound statement to a group of men who knew the game. "Gentlemen, this is a football." He took some of the finest professionals in all of sports, the championship Green Bay Packers of the 1960s, and went back to the fundamentals. I watch churchesall over the country try everything but the fundamentals. What are they thinking? I want to say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the church. This is the Bible. Be creative and stick to the fundamentals." This is a fascinating read, front to back. As leaders of the greatest institution on Earth, every pastor should read The Essential Vince Lombardi. Arguably the greatest football coach of all time has some timeless words to impart to the greatest team of leaders the world has ever seen, pastors of the 21st century church. When you understand your role as a leader you will not find better reading than this book. The urgency, passion, and conviction lived in the life of Coach Lombardi will inspire you to new heights in your service to the church.